This North Texas city is one of the best for active lifestyles

DALLAS (KDAF) — A new study ranks the best cities for healthy living in the United States, with one North Texas suburb ranking in the top 10: Arlington.

While maintaining a fitness routine can be challenging anywhere, living in a city that supports an active lifestyle can make a significant difference. Of course, living in one of these cities won’t automatically turn you into a fitness fanatic, but being surrounded by like-minded people and having easy access to gyms and outdoor spaces can definitely give you a boost.

The research team at Manhattan Mental Health Counseling compared the 99 largest U.S. cities based on 20 key indicators of an active lifestyle. These factors were grouped into five main categories: budget, participation, sports, outdoor activities, and environmental conditions.

1. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis has claimed the top spot as the best city for an active lifestyle. The city’s impressive ranking is largely attributed to its strong performance in participation. Searches for “at-home workouts” and “at-home sports equipment” skyrocketed, placing St. Louis at the number one spot nationally. Moreover, with around 16 sports stores per 100,000 residents, the city offers a plethora of retail options for athletic gear and apparel.

2. San Francisco, California

San Francisco ranks second. The city’s exceptional performance in the outdoor category, where it ranked number one, is the primary factor driving its high ranking. With a bike score of 72, San Francisco offers approximately 40 bike trails and an impressive 88 bike rental stations. The city’s robust bike-sharing program, featuring over 9,000 bikes, further cements its reputation as a bike-friendly destination.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati secures the third spot on the list. While ranking sixth in active participation, the city’s strong performance in the budget category, coming in at twelfth, significantly contributes to its overall score.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh comes in at number four on the list of best cities for an active lifestyle. The city’s strong showing is primarily due to its top ranking in participation, evidenced by high search numbers for home workouts and equipment. Pittsburgh also shines in the sports category, offering a variety of sports clubs to cater to different fitness preferences.

5. Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale rounds out the top five. With over 60 sports clubs boasting three-star ratings or higher for sports like soccer, basketball, and golf, the city secures an eighth-place ranking in sports facilities.

6. Seattle, Washington

Seattle comes in at number six. The city shines in both the outdoor and sports categories. With 73 hiking trails and a massive 6,400 acres of parkland, Seattle offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, walking, or running.

7. Miami, Florida

Miami follows in 7th place, with 17 sports stores per 100,000 residents. The city also sees a high volume of searches for “at home sports equipment” and “home workouts,” ranking third nationally with nearly 50K searches per 100K residents.

8. Newark, New Jersey

Newark is next in eighth place, a city where staying active is both easy and encouraged. It ranks 2nd in the nation for its extensive sports options, including the highest number of fitness trainers, 23 tennis courts, and a variety of swimming pools, baseball diamonds, and sports clubs. This impressive range of facilities gives Newark residents many ways to stay fit and active.

9. Arlington, Texas

With an index score of 73.41, Arlington takes the 9th spot on the list of best cities for an active lifestyle. The city ranks 6th for outdoor activities, offering numerous options like 122 hiking trails. Additionally, it ranks 16th for affordable activity costs, with weekend tennis court fees at $15 per hour and an average monthly gym membership at $25.

10. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta secures a spot in the top 10 thanks to its residents’ dedication to staying active, even at home. It ranks 5th in participation, with a high volume of Google searches for home workout equipment and exercises.

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